I scroll through so many made-up faces in the course of my style and beauty browsing, online or in magazines, that I rarely give a look much attention. Perhaps I note liking a certain color that is used (probably the shade of lipstick), or thinking that there is something appealing about the peculiarity of the model’s face, but it’s extremely uncommon that I pause, am arrested. Am interested.

Stumbled across this image in a more or less unrelated marie-claire article about pro make-up tips, wherein this image was a sort of useless illustration of a category heading in the piece. [Because you can’t have an article without pictures!] I forgive it this superfluity, however. This is a stunning, strange look. The kind of look that makes me want to sit down and play around with make-up.

The pale pastel eyes and lips seem like your usual spring stuff but then these great windburned cheeks pull the look well away from the shores of the ordinary. This is bold, beautiful blush. I love when a look conveys the idea of wearing too much blush on purpose. That is, not too much blush, exactly the amount desired. It seems to me this is the trick with anything outlandish or unconventional: to look as if you did it on purpose.

This is editorial, yes. I mean, this is a lot of blush. The look is so fierce, though. The icy blue of the eyes, such a cool color…probably terrible on me but it is so great here I want to secretly try it anyway. Did you see the Lisa Eldridge tutorial of Tippi Hendren’s make-up from Hitchcock’s The Birds? That was a look that stuck with me, that I also wanted to recreate faithfully, reminds me of this eye look. Pinned.

There’s something to be said for too much blush. It’s dangerous territory but with treasures to be unearthed for the adventurous, those who go beyond the rookie realm of gauche overapplication into that of decisive, savage color.

Recently stumbled across and have not been able to get out of my mind this pottery outfit, Blue Eagle Pottery, based in Woodstock, IL. [You have no idea how much time I spend thinking about tableware, partly occupational, partly eccentric.] They have two main glaze styles, one of which has completely captured my attention.

How beautiful? I often like the warmth of pottery, the organic, slightly irregular quality it can have, especially at the artisan level. A lot of the allure is due to glazes, and this one is just what I am always hoping to find. Jagged layers of color like cross-sections of sediment deposits or ancient cliff faces. Also, in a stroke of genius, they make a silhouette called a popcorn bowl. MUST.

Popcorn bowl!

Available on their retail site and a few other specialized vendors. I purchased directly through them, as the prices were better (and quite reasonable). I just picked up a few pieces to use as peripheral touches, serving dishes, whatever I please. I am always weak in the face of cute little bowls, and was in the market for a little vase, and cannot have too many charming ceramic mugs. And popcorn: major food group.

Actually I didn’t get the plate. I am still thinking about that. They have other lovely pieces as well, and the other main glaze is a stunning, deep indigo with speckled texture. Worth a look.

Artist Thomas Leveritt set up an ultraviolet camera and viewing monitor in Prospect Park to reveal the hidden effects of UV light on skin. I’m fully converted to the virtues of sunscreen so this video is preaching to the choir, but this is a powerful message.

His description, “We showed people what they looked like in ultraviolet, & wondered aloud if they wanted to put on some damn sunscreen already.”

Evidently I’m the last person to hear this song, but that doesn’t make it any less worth sharing.

A beautifully executed homage to one of the most beloved movies of our generation (these costumes are spot on! Remember the Wildfox clothing line inspired by Clueless?), and a catchy earworm of a track in its own right. It’s been stuck in my head (in a good way) for a solid 24 hours, and it doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. I’m digging these dance moves, too.

My approval makes sense, of course. After all, I’ve been known to get a little fancy now and then.